Google Play Domain Issues Causing Headache For Google

Earlier this month, ahead of Google's launch of Google Play (which is essentially a rebranding of Android Market, Google Music and the Google eBookstore) Google purchased 18 domain names related to the Google Play brand. At the time, there was speculation that Google Play could be the name of a forthcoming Google tablet, but then Google hit us with a dose of reality.

Strangely, missing from that list is simply googleplay.com. That's because the domain is owned by someone else, and Google has now filed a complaint over it, according to a report from Fusible (who first reported on the above list as well).

The report cites WhoIs records indicating the domain is owned by a resident of Japan. If you actually go to GooglePlay.com, it says at the bottom: "Copyright c 2012 GMO Internet, Inc. All Rights Reserved."

GMO Internet Inc. is based in Tokyo, and describes itself as "a leading force in the Internet industry offering one of the most comprehensive ranges of Internet services worldwide."

Such services, according to its website, include web infrastructure, e-commerce, Internet media and Internet securities.

Google filed its report with the National Arbitration Forum Panel, which will reportedly decide if it meets specific requirements with ICANN.